A/N: So here is the next chapter! Yay! Introducing two new characters to the story, hope you guys like it. I kinda am almost done with this story. Wanna say about 5 more chapters to go so we'll see what happens. I am really happy with everyone reading it and I appreciate all of my followers and what not. Anyways, I'll let you get to the story.
Disclaimer: I (sadly) do not own Naruto or any of the characters.
The young boy ran thru the halls of the school, his breath becoming more and more labored as he ran. Not knowing where he was going, he kept turning down the halls but they were never ending. The people chasing him were running after him relentlessly, yelling and screaming as they did. After another turn there was a door at the end of the hallway. His face lit up in joy as he ran towards it, looking forward to escaping the angry mob of people coming his way. He opened the door but once he did, he immediately regretted it. It opened up to a dark alleyway in the city, trash cans and trash bags lining the walls. His heart started pounding as he heard footsteps approach him. It was too dark to see who it was but when he turned, all he could see was the large silhouette of a monster with black gleaming eyes, almost drooling from his wide evil grin. "Have you come to play?" it growled, advancing towards him. The boy shook his head and tried his hardest to back up but ended up tripping on a bag behind him. But before he could hit the ground, something stopped him. It was warm, comforting, and bright.
"I've got you," it whispered, arms wrapping around the boys waist. A face snuggled into his neck and he leaned against it. The warm person looked up into the eyes of the monster with anger, enough to scare it off and go running in the other direction. Relief ran thru the young boy's body and he began to relax into the person. The scent coming off of him was familiar but he couldn't see his face. "Sasuke," it whispered into his ear. "Sasuke… It's time to wake up."
The raven woke with a start, opening his eyes and jolting up in the bed. Sweat was clear on his forehead and his breathing was heavy. When he looked around, there wasn't anybody there except for one person sitting beside him holding his hand. It was obvious he was crying because his big blue eyes were red and puffy along with his nose as well. Sasuke let out a sigh and reached out towards the blonde haired boy, cupping his cheek with his hand. "Naruto.. I-.. I'm so sorry," he whispered, tears brimming in his eyes now.
"No, no Sasuke," the blonde said, shaking his head reassuringly. He gripped his hand a little tighter and smiled. "I should be the one that is sorry. I shouldn't have even suggested anything physical between us considering everything that's been going on. Gosh, I feel so crappy."
"It's not your fault Naruto," Sasuke told him, smiling softly when he noticed the guilt in his boyfriends eyes. "Really, it's not. I've just been in a bad place lately and I took it out on you. I'm really sorry, please forgive me."
"Sasuke, I'll always forgive you," he whispered, leaning in and giving the raven a light kiss on the lips, smiling as he did so. "I'm just glad you're okay. That guy didn't do anything to you, right?"
"No, he didn't. Although I have no idea what happened to make him stop." The raven shrugged his shoulders but noticed the look on Naruto's face, obvious that he knows something. "What happened? I mean, how did I even end up back here at your house?"
"Well, after you left I knew you were upset but it was also getting late so I didn't want you to walk home by yourself. Me, Itachi and Deidara all followed you to make sure you were okay. When we saw you go around a corner and then after that you just disappeared." He paused for a moment and stared at his hands, balling them into fists. "I got worried, we all did. Itachi parked the car and we walked around looking for you. That's when we finally came up to the alley and you were there, against the wall. It was so scary Sasuke. I just… I was afraid I was going to lose you.." His eyes started to water again but he shook his head, looking up into the dark eyes that were filled with guilt and sorrow.
"I know I made you worry and you have no idea how grateful I am that you followed me. I wasn't thinking, I was angry and I wasn't even thinking straight anymore." When he paused his eyes widened and his face turned slightly red; his stomach was growling loudly.
"Wow Sasuke," Naruto laughed. "Come on; let's get you something to eat." He held his hand out to the raven and Sasuke took it quickly, allowing him to be pulled from the bed. It was dark in the room, the desk lamp the only thing on in the bedroom.
"What time is it anyways?" Sasuke asked as he looked out of the window, noticing it was pitch black outside.
"About one o'clock give or take a few minutes. You were out for a little while there," he admitted, scratching the back of his head with his free hand. "Let's go. My mom made dinner earlier and I made sure to put some aside for you. It's that meatloaf you like so much, with the ketchup on top."
"That sounds great right now," Sasuke said, squeezing Naruto's hand slightly. "Naruto thank you. For everything you've done for me."
"It's alright Sasuke; you know I'll do anything for you."
"I would do the same for you."
IIIIIIIIIIIIII
After the next week passed, Sasuke finally got to go back to school, having taken the entire week off even though he was supposed to come back on Monday. His mother was home and he wanted to stay and help her around the house with what he could. Her parents had decided to stay with her for a little while, along with Fugaku's parents as well. They cared very much for Mikoto and her children although they were surprised that their father would do such a thing to his own wife and kids.
Sasuke walked into the school with a smile on his lips, happy to be back and to be learning like he had always liked to do. All of his teachers had taken a liking to him and did what they could to make sure that he got all of the homework and reading material that they could give to him. Sakura greeted him at the front of the school, her smile widening once the raven came into her sights. "Oh! Sasuke, I've missed you so much!" She gave him a large hug and he coughed slightly, her strength always surprising to the young boy.
"I've missed you too Sakura although you did visit me a few times over the week."
"I know, I know but class has been so blah without you there." Sakura linked her arm with Sasuke's and they began to walk up to the court yard of the school where all of their friends were waiting. "Where's Naruto? I just realized he was missing although how could I since he's so loud," she joked.
"He has a doctor's appointment this morning to Kushina said that she'll probably bring him to school afterwards although I doubt it. I know Naruto will somehow get out of it," he shrugged. They arrived at the group of friends and everyone greeted them, smiling and welcoming their little delinquent back from his suspension.
"Oh man Sasuke, what happened to you over the week? Did you have a growth spirt or something?" Tenten commented when she hugged him, noticing his body was slightly harder and he did seem a little taller. But hey, that's what happens when you're a growing boy.
"Well, I wasn't just sitting around the whole time I was off. I was helping my mom with a few things and then I went to hang with my brother and his friends. They've been teaching me fighting skills." Everyone oh'ed when he said this, nodding their heads.
"That's cool. What kind of training is it?" the brunette asked as she curled an arm around her pinkette's waist, pulling her in front of her.
"Mostly martial arts but also some boxing and mixed stuff in there. My brother's boyfriend thinks I'm too good for my age, thinks that I'll surpass my own brother when it comes to fighting which I don't see happening any time soon." He sighed and took off his backpack, setting it on the table since it was so heavy from all of the homework he had to turn in today. "Starting in the New Year though I might learn weapons training. A few of them know how to use swords and stuff so that should be cool."
"Oh man! Take me with you! How cool would that be! I wanna learnn~" Tenten got this sparkle in her eye at the sudden thought of training with weapons. "I can even see about getting my mom to let us have some weapons. They have some pretty cool shit at the shop and even some experimental stuff."
"I'll talk to Itachi about it but I don't see why not. I mean, the more the merrier right?" Sasuke took a look around and noticed there were people here and there staring at him or slowing down to look at him as they walked by. He had no idea why but had a feeling it had something to do with the fact that he was now openly gay and had basically announced it during the play those few weeks ago. Or maybe it was the fight? He was sure everyone and their mom heard about that since word travels fast.
"Just ignore them Sasuke," Shikamaru said, noticing the people staring as well from his spot on the table. "They're just troublesome people that can't mind their own business."
"It's okay, I honestly don't care," the raven shrugged.
"Oh, did you guys here we're getting some new students today? Sasori said he saw them in the main office a little while ago," Nagato announced as he walked over to the table with his books in his hands and his friends in tow.
"Really?" Sakura asked, looking somewhat excited that there are new students at the school. Sasori nodded his head and he sat down at the table, pulling out his phone and remaining quiet like he usually does.
"Yeah, I've seen the guy before, I knew his brother," Konan said, coming over to stand next to Sasuke. "I remember him. I know he went to some private school and his brother was the only one supporting him since his parents died. I guess he can't afford it anymore," she shrugged.
"What is his name?" Tenten asked as she dug around in her backpack grumbling about a granola bar somewhere.
"I don't remember the younger brother's name. The older brother's name though is Mangetsu Hozuki. He's a cool guy, a little violent but cool." Sasuke's body froze for a moment, at the mention of that name, looking at the ground with wide eyes.
"Shit," he whispered to himself, grabbing his phone. "That can't be him…"
"What's wrong Sasuke?" Sakura asked, noticing the raven's sudden aura change.
"One sec, I want to check something." On his phone, he scrolled thru the list of friends he had in his contact list, never realizing that he saved the number in his phone just in case he ever got the urge to contact his old friend. He kept telling himself he would but he always felt bad about that fight at the school because they were both hospitalized but was also angry because he was the one that had put the thoughts into his head about being gay. Although now he should probably thank him considering he is now in a relationship with Naruto. "Crap, I knew it."
"Knew what?"
"His name is Suigetsu. Suigetsu Hozuki, right Konan?" He looked up at the purple haired girl and she nodded.
"You know him Sasuke?" Tenten asked and she looked to her girlfriend who also had a shocked expression on her face, her hand covering her mouth and her eyes showing sadness. "Sakura? You know him too?"
"Yea, he went to school with me and Sasuke back in middle school…" She reached a hand out towards the raven and patted his shoulder, trying her best to be comforting. "Come on Sasuke, I'm sure he isn't mad at you. Besides, he was the one who put himself in that position."
"I know but I just completely ignored him. We both we beat and he was my only friend but I turned my back on him. All because I was afraid and I just…" He looked away and grabbed his backpack off of the table. "I'm going to class early. I don't feel like standing around here right now."
"I'll come with you," Sakura announced, moving from the brunettes grip she had on her.
"No, it's okay. I'm probably going to go and see Jiraya. He may be a pervert but he'll let me sit in his classroom till school starts." They still had another fifteen minutes before school started so the rest of them stayed at the tables chatting amongst themselves.
Sasuke made his way to the front building where the theatre room was, doing his best to avoid pestering teachers who would prevent him from getting there. Thankfully Sakura and Tenten had showed him and Naruto the ways around the school. When he reached the classroom, he went ahead and entered, not bothering with knocking although now he wished that he did. Jiraya was standing there with a few papers in his hands, two students standing in front of him. They looked to the raven with wide eyes, both of them just as surprised to see him as he was to see them.
"Hey! Sasuke!" Jiraya called to him, beckoning to the young teenager. He walked over slowly, his heart pounding in his chest, trying his best to avoid looking to the two students. "I want you to meet these two, today is their first day and they're going around meeting their teachers.
"Hello Sasuke, good to see you again," the boy had said, giving him a small smile.
"Oh, you know Sasuke?" the old man asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yea, we went to school with him in middle school. Although he left and never came back," he shrugged. There was a bit of bitterness in that sentence but Sasuke knew that was a given considering he ignored him.
"Well, that's good. Then you can show them around Sasuke," Jiraya announced, patting him on the back. "I'll write you a pass that will notify your teachers in case you're late."
"Okay," the raven agreed, sighing slightly. His gaze flicked back and forth between the two students, his mind finally clicking with the second person there. "Hinata-chan?"
"Yup, that's me," she said, pointing to herself. "Long time no see Sasuke-kun."
"Come on guys, let's get going so that we can check out our classes. We'll catch up along the way," Suigetsu said, putting an arm on both of the student's shoulders. Sasuke grabbed the note from Jiraya and said his goodbyes to the teacher, heading outside with the two students.
"So Sasuke, how have you been?" Hinata asked as they walked out of the classroom. All the raven could do was stare at the teenager, surprised in her change of appearance in the year that they hadn't seen each other.
"You've definitely changed a lot Hinata," he voiced. "I see you worked out your stuttering problem."
"Oh, yea I worked on that a lot but mostly because my father beat it out of me." She shrugged her shoulders as she pulled out her schedule from her pocket. She was wearing baggy gray pants that hung around her waist, a white v neck t-shirt that hug her body nicely. "So what classes do you have? Do we have any together?"
"I'm still trying to work out what happened to that shy girl I was friends with in middle school," Sasuke admitted, shaking his head. "Although I will admit that I've changed a lot too. And you Suigetsu, you look different also with all of those piercings on your ear."
"Thanks, my brother did them."
"Alright well, let me look at your schedules and see what classes you have." He took both of their schedules and examined them, almost surprised that they had every class together. "You guys literally just have to stick with me. We have all of our classes together although I do gotta admit, I didn't think you were smart enough for some of these classes Sui."
"Ha-ha very funny," he sneered as he took his schedule back from the raven. "Believe it or not, me and Hinata became very close friends and she helped me a lot."
"That's cool, I'm glad you guys became friends," Sasuke nodded, sighing again. He looked at Suigetsu with guilt in his eyes but decided now was not the time for that. "Come on, let's go to our first class."
IIIIIIIIIII
Sasu: They literally have every class with me, it's weird.
Sakura: Don't worry about that, I'm sure Sui forgives you..
Sasu: I know Sakura but I can't help but feel like crap about it. You know, I never told Naruto about him. I'm afraid that Naruto might get jealous.
Sakura: Yea but you never liked him like that, right? And besides, I'm sure he doesn't feel like that about you anymore.
Sasu: I never liked him like that but it doesn't mean I didn't think about it after the whole thing… Idk Sakura.
Sasuke glanced around the room and noticed Suigetsu looking at his phone in his lap as well, a smile on his face as Hinata suddenly started giggling after she took a look at her phone. I wonder what they're talking about… Could we ever be friends again?
Sakura: Do you think they still hate me too?
Sasu: I don't really know to be honest. I mean, if I can get past everything then I'm sure that they can too…
"Pssst, Sasuke," he heard someone whisper. He looked up and found Hinata staring at him, glancing at the front of the classroom to make sure the teacher didn't hear.
"What's up Hina?" he whispered back.
"What's your number? I wanna be able to text you." Sasuke wrote down his number on a piece of paper and handed it to her, making sure the teacher had his back turned before he did so since this teacher had a habit of reading notes out loud.
Hina: So, how have you been?
Sasu: Shouldn't you be paying attention to the work?
Hina: -_- You of all people know we covered this in our old school. The curriculum there was way higher than it is here.
Sasu: Why are you here anyways? I can guess why Sui but you too?
Hina: When I heard he was leaving the school we were at, I didn't want to leave him. My dad wouldn't allow it so basically I did what I had to and got kicked out.
Sasu: WHAT DID YOU DO?
Hina: I fought this chick and totally kicked her ass. Me and her were already like, hating each other mad-hardcore so I just decided to do it.
Sasu: Wow, you must really care for Sui…
Hina: He's been there for me thru a lot. Which reminds me, what happened to you? You just left and never came back… didn't even try to contact us or anything
Sasu: That's a story for another day…
The bell rang and everyone stood up, stretching and shoving their stuff into their bags. Sasuke made his way outside, Sakura in tow and waited for Suigetsu and Hinata to exit the classroom after they talked to the teacher.
"So what did Hinata say?" Sakura asked, her interest peaked when she heard her ask for his number.
"Nothing really, just seeing what's up and stuff," the raven shrugged. "I feel bad but I just can't take away everything that happened and pretend like nothing happened.
"I know Sasuke, just do what you can. I'm sure it'll all work out. Well, I'm going to go to class. I'll see you later."
"Bye," he murmured, giving her a quick hug. When she walked away, that's when the other two teens walked out of the room.
"Ugh, I can't stand Sakura. I can't believe she got her parents to let her go here," Suigetsu spat, Hinata rolling her eyes in reply.
"Just get over it Sui. She is just a worthless piece of crap that doesn't deserve our time," Hinata shrugged.
"Hey you guys, that's my friend you're talking about," Sasuke snapped, turning to look at the two of them. "Yea, a lot of stuff happened but I'm pretty sure if I can get over it all then so can you. So let's just go to class and you keep Sakura out of your mouths. You have no idea what she's like now; she's different and she helped me with a lot so you guys just shut it."
"Holy crap Uchiha, what was that!" Suigetsu laughed, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Is it just me or did you grow an attitude?"
"Whatever, let's go," he grumbled, pulling away and leading the way to their next class.
IIIIIIIIIII
Lunch time couldn't come quick enough for the raven. He just wanted to sit down and eat his lunch and hang out with his friends who he hadn't seen since he was suspended. There were still a few people here and there whispering and pointing at him but he decided to just ignore it. Hinata and Suigetsu followed close behind but couldn't help but notice the other student's stares as well.
"Sasuke, what are they all staring at?" Suigetsu asked, tugging on the raven's shirt. "I mean, I know I'm hot but come on."
"They're looking at me. This is my first day back to school in about two weeks. I got suspended… For fighting.." They reached the bus loop and everyone welcomed the two new students with no problem. Sakura floated to Sasuke quietly, avoiding the crowd of people welcoming them.
"They hate me, don't they," she whispered, sadness in her voice.
"A little but I think they'll get over it," Sasuke said reassuringly.
"Sasuke-chan!" A voice broke thru everyone and Sasuke turned around, his eyes wide and a smile clear on his lips.
"I figured you would get your mom to keep you home from school today," Sasuke said as his blonde boyfriend walked up to him, wrapping both of his arms around his neck and holding him in front of him.
"I know but I didn't want to be away from you anymore than I had to be. So I'll get thru school regardless whether I want to or not." Naruto leaned in and gave Sasuke a kiss on the lips, letting them linger as all of their friends started Oohing and whistling at the couple. Sasuke's face grew deep red with embarrassment as he pulled away, a small smile on his lips as Naruto told them all to shut up and let him kiss his boyfriend. Sasuke couldn't help but glance over to the two new students, both in shock but one a little angrier than the other. Suigetsu's face went from shock to anger in two seconds when he saw Sasuke's eyes glance that way. Then, it changed to hurt before he could grab his backpack and walk away, Hinata in to. Oh man, I totally forgot to tell him… I didn't think Naruto would come to school today. He gave a glance over to Sakura who looked at him with a knowing look.
"Who was that?" Naruto asked, noticing the two people that just left.
"The white haired guy is Suigetsu and the black haired girl is Hinata. Me and Sakura knew them when we went to middle school..." He sighed again for the millionth time that day but Naruto was the first one to really notice it.
"You okay Sasuke?" The blonde haired boy took his hand and Sasuke looked up to him. "What happened?"
"I'll tell you later Naruto. But for right now, let us just enjoy lunch, alright?"
"Hey, you guys wanna skip the rest of school?" Tenten asked her friends, holding up her keys. "I know a restaurant that has a booth with our name on it."
"I have to turn in homework though that was due," Sasuke interrupted.
"Do it tomorrow. Come on Sasuke, it looks like you need time with your friends anyways." The brunette wrapped her arm around Sasuke's shoulder and pulled him along, Sakura and Naruto trailing behind them.
IIIIIIIIIII
"So Sasuke, Sakura, tell me how you know Suigetsu and Hinata? Because I feel like you're hiding something from us.." the brunette said as she munched on her burger. The two of them looked at each other and decided it was time to tell them what happened in school.
"I was friends with Suigetsu and Hinata in school. They were literally my only friends the entire time I was there and they were the only ones who ever cared about me." Sasuke paused for a second before continuing, taking a sip of his sprite to wet his drying mouth. "As you guys know, Sakura and I weren't friends in middle school. She was part of the more popular group that would always pick on people like us. Hinata is the cousin of Neji Hyuga. He was this like, big hot shot who everyone loved but he was also the biggest asshole in the world."
"Oh god, I can't believe I actually liked that guy too," Sakura scoffed, rolling her eyes. "He was the biggest jerk and all he wanted to do was get in my pants. Like that was ever going to happen. But yea, I wasn't the nicest person to the three of them and was kinda mean to them. And then that one day just kinda… That was something I'll always regret."
"What happened?" Naruto asked this time, his eyebrow raised in suspicion as he stared at Sasuke who was looking at his food.
"Suigetsu is gay. Always has been, probably always will be. He was pretty open about it too even though he went to a Christian school. One day, he confessed that he liked me and I was really freaked out by it, pushed him away and everything. I was in the bathroom crying and then I got attacked in the bathroom in the gym. Nothing major, just some stupid stuff. It was Neji and his friends. Then, the next day Sakura came up to me and asked to date me…" He looked at Sakura who was staring back apologetically, reaching across the table to pat his hand. "I didn't know it was all a joke. I told her no and then Neji and his friends came out of nowhere and accused me of being gay since I hang out with Sui. Then Sui comes out of nowhere to defend me and the both of us got beat up pretty bad. We were both hospitalized and so my parents pulled me out of school for the remainder of the school year. I never once spoke to Suigetsu or Hinata after that, I was so angry and pissed and scared at the same time."
"I felt bad about it too," Sakura admitted. "I witnessed everything that happened, they were beat up pretty bad. Neji got into a lot of trouble but he still doesn't know I'm the one that told on them. I ran so hard and fast to find a teacher… I didn't know what else to do. I knew what it was like to be confused about your own self and I felt so bad that I put them in that situation. I had no idea that Neji would do that to them. Hinata… She hated me afterwards though. After Sasuke left and didn't come back, it was so hard on her because then she had no one to be friends with in class. I noticed her talking with Suigetsu a few times before the school year ended, but I didn't think they would become such close friends."
"So this guy liked you?" the blonde asked, still staring at Sasuke. When he nodded, Sasuke could swear he could feel Naruto's body tense. "Did you like him back?"
"No, I didn't," he sighed, fiddling with his hands. "Although he was the one to make me think about guys in the first place. I pushed all of those thoughts away though after what happened. I just feel so bad that after all this time, I never once thanked him for trying to help."
"It seems to me like the guy still likes you," Tenten interjected as she wiped her mouth. "I mean, man did you see the way he ran off after he saw Naruto kiss you? I thought he was gunna have a heart attack."
"I don't blame him though. I mean, think about it. After everything that happened, I refused him, refused liking guys, and then stopped talking to him only to start dating a guy. I would be pretty mad about that too."
"I think you should talk to him. Clear the air, you know?" Naruto told him, shrugging his shoulders. "I mean, I would want some sort of explanation if I were him. Not gunna lie."
"Yea, I think you're right…"
"Just promise me you won't fall in love with him," the blonde mumbled, his face turning slightly red as he grabbed Sasuke's hand.
"I promise. Besides, it's you who I love," the raven said, smiling as he leaned in to kiss his cutely jealous boyfriend.